News LANCE Franklin, one of the greatest players in the history of the game, has announced his retirement, effectively immediately.

[_Mike_]

LANCE Franklin, one of the greatest players in the history of the game, has announced his retirement, effectively immediately.

The 36-year-old informed his teammates on Monday that his decorated career is over.

The news comes after he injured his calf in Saturday night's win over Essendon.


Franklin confirmed the news with an Instagram post alongside a photo of Alastair Clarkson and John Longmire, his two AFL coaches.


"What a journey. Thanks to everyone who has been on this crazy ride with me," he wrote.

Courtesy: ALF.com.au

 

[Bombermania]

So you are saying one of the greatest goals of all time is a quick key forward with an open paddock ahead of him burning a slow key defender running into goal and then kicking it??

Besides the fatigue element and the angle.. am I missing something here??

Overhyped

I was sitting in the Olympic Stand and that goal is not overrated, Buddy's goal against Collingwood out of the centre might be slightly better but for a guy of his size, Buddy made it look easy but that is what great players do.

 

[SSSSSS]

Yes, so all those F/S selections from all these random kids who are going to be appearing in the next few years are coming to the Swans

Buddy2Buddy2Buddy2Buddy2Buddy2Buddy2Buddy2George2Buddy

 

[Cyber_punk]

Probably won't see anybody like him again. Crazy thing is if he stayed at Hawthorn I reckon they win the 2016 flag and he'd have 5 flags. But the quieter life away from the AFL media in Melbourne was always too tempting.

 

[Altum Volantes]

Feels like a very Buddy move to me. Never liked doing press conferences.

He announced he wasn’t retiring in GF week last year didn’t he?

Probably immediately regretted that timing!

Talk around him playing on/going elsewhere right up until this week - do you think he was given the oft-required nudge?

 

[Hoops]

I wonder if light will be shed on the Buddy rumours which forced him to miss several consecutive games.

 

[BF Tiger]

Go well Buddy. Thanks for the memories.

LEGEND!

 

[RUNVS]

I wonder if light will be shed on the Buddy rumours which forced him to miss several consecutive games.

Shame he missed those games too. If he didn't he likely would have gotten 1100 goals.

 

[Yellow Feathers]

Why would he lower himself to play with another club after the 2 great clubs he played for ? Especially a test tube manufactured one.

Was thinking he could fill a gap somewhere for fun. Would have liked to see him add a few more goals. Not suggesting GC, but nice dig mr negative Nancy. Mondays must be getting to you.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

One seriously overrated goal… sorry to say. Burning Cale hooker isn’t exactly a miracle accomplishment with an open paddock.

Ok troll.

 

[offtherails9]

Two memories stick out to me.

First one is the 07 Elimination Final against the Crows. The fans going off their head that day at the Telstra Dome was something to behold. For too long had the Hawks been a pretty average football side, and that all changed when Buddy kicked that goal with 4 seconds left. But his performance for the whole day was amazing.

Secondly, it's the entire 2008 season. To do what he did at the age of 21 is just silly looking back now. I remember tuning in each and every week as a young fella hoping that he would kick at least 4 or 5 to keep the fantasy of 100 goals in a season alive. Just an athlete that was so much better than anyone else on the field and the way the Hawks moved the ball that year was so fantastic to watch, then as soon as it'd pass halfway you'd be thinking 'okay, where's Bud'. So good.
That night in Round 22 when he kicked the 100th was such a special occasion. Rockstar.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Not sure what's more legendary.

100 goals in a season or Buddy's other 100 in 100.

Two utterly astonishing achievements.

Respect.

 

[Xtreme]

Might un-retire and play for Hardwick at the Suns in 2024!

 

[Glenn_]

A amazing career on field , and away from the field a great mentor to young indigenous footballers.
Thanks for the memories.

 

[hawkinoz]

I was sitting in the Olympic Stand and that goal is not overrated, Buddy's goal against Collingwood out of the centre might be slightly better but for a guy of his size, Buddy made it look easy but that is what great players do.

yep, this was an amazing goal. What an Athlete.

Also 3 touch goal, end to end. Gueraa - Stratton - Franklin

 

[RUNVS]

I know Hawks fans will very very much disagree but these days when I see Buddy in a Hawthorn guernsey it just looks odd to me. He looks so natural in the red and white.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

I know Hawks fans will very very much disagree but these days when I see Buddy in a Hawthorn guernsey it just looks odd to me. He looks so natural in the red and white.

Boooooo

 

[Wolfgang West]

I know Hawks fans will very very much disagree but these days when I see Buddy in a Hawthorn guernsey it just looks odd to me. He looks so natural in the red and white.

Great achievement's at both clubs' and neither should lay claim to him being theirs alone. Should be remembered as a Swawk.

 

[RUNVS]

Great achievement's at both club' an neither lay claim him to being theirs alone. Should be remembered as a Swak.

Definitely agree, it is just he has been in red and white for so long it is hard to remember him in anything else. Sort of like looking at old pictures of a friend in primary school and realising they had a mullet in 4th grade, but you having almost no memory of it.

 

[hawkman]

No i'm not saying it's one of the greatest goals of all time but it's certainly one of the great goals by one of the greatest goal scorers of all time.

I think what made it more amazing was that he did a slightly inferior version of it 5 minutes before

 

[timokane]

good riddance

 

[MadMaxx]

I know a lot gets made of his Hooker Running Goals.

But this one is one of my faves (Part of a Lazy 8 in a Qualifying final), and on Bwian Lake too...

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Ok troll.

In other words, you can’t handle differing opinions to your own

 

[Foreign Legion]

Buddy was in the top 3 forwards I have seen - note I'm not talking about midfielders etc.

1. Lockett
2. Dunstall
3. Franklin
4. Ablett Snr

I saw Wade and Hudson but only about twice.

A Legend of the game.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

In other words, you can’t handle differing opinions to your own

I can handle them fine.

But it is well known around these parts that you are a troll. And a rubbish one at that.

Jog on you peanut.

 

[Feraligatr]

I forgotten about so many of these goals he kicked. Absolute freak with the ball.